Johnson Admits We Were Outclassed

Manager Lee Johnson has admitted that Oldham were simply outclassed when we faced Preston North End on Saturday.

A three one defeat never looked to swing our way despite a consolation from Harkins giving us a bit of hope when the score was still two nil 15 minutes from time, and with Preston leading from within the first ten minutes they had more of the chances and many would argue always looked the better value to increase the score line and as the game drew to a close they did just that.

Speaking to the Official Site following the match, Johnson said he had few complaints about the score line, especially after we were reduced to ten men, as we just had too big a mountain to climb on the day and we were far from our best anyway.

'I think it's fair to say we were outclassed. Credit where it's due, I think they are a very strong side. We started off with too many players having off days. It's frustrating because that's a couple of times it's happened now at home.'

The gaffer goes on to say that it's easy to play at 2-1 down as a losing team really because your options are kind of dictated - the opposition sit back more, they don't do as much, and you know you'll likely have more of the ball and be asked what to do with it, the secret is being braver at 0-0 and getting yourself in front so that onus to chase goes on the opposition.

With Clarke-Harris being dismissed for handball, but Mark Oxley saving the penalty, the gaffer knows the score line could've been a touch worse in the end but he had praise for the on loan goalkeeper as well as a bit of sympathy for the dismissed striker.

'It was a fantastic save. We'll have to look at the sending off again because Jonson is adamant that he cleared it with his shoulder, so hopefully, we can appeal that. When he came on, he gave us something different which was pleasing.'

So we look to get back on the horse again so to speak in the games against Rotherham in midweek and then Crewe on Saturday, and Johnson adds that at least when you lose and games come this quickly it's the perfect chance to put it behind you as you don't have too long to dwell on things.

Hopefully that will prove to be the case as we are slipping down the league now and three points separate us from Stevenage who sit in the drop zone, but they have a game over us and are rallying of late.

We need another win and to create some daylight again.

The gaffer has recently outlined where he hopes to see the club in 12 months time, that won't be achieved by being sucked properly into a battle at the bottom now.

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